Photoelectric control device



Oct. 12, 1943. J. JOHNSON 1 5 PHOTOELECTRIC CONTROL DEVICE Filed 001;. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Magfred J Jo/msolz ATTORNEYS Oct. 12,1943.- M. J. JOHNSON I 2,331,475

PHOTOELECTRIG CONTROL DEVICE Filed 001:. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-$heet 4 INVENTOR Mam/red J v a/ 727501? BY ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 12, 1943 2,331,475 PHOTOELEQTRIC CONTROL DEVICE Manfred J. Johnson, New Haven,

Conn, assignor of one-half to Arthur A. Johnson, Bridgeport,

Conn.

Application October 10, 1940, Serial No. 360,561

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for efi'ecting a control in response to a change in magnitude of a condition, andjmore particularly, to a change in the magnitude of a luminous condition.

Devices have been heretofore proposed for effecting a control in response to some change in a luminous condition, but these prior devices asthey consisted generally of complicated and relatively expensive electrical apparatus have not been widely used. The complicated and intri cate structure of these devices prevented many potential users from employing the same, not only because of the prohibitive cost due to the intricate and relatively expensive mechanism employed, but also due to the fact that they could not be made sufilciently adaptable for widely diversified fields of use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact, easily transportable and rugged device for accurately eifecting a control in response to a predetermined change in a luminous condition, and requiring a minimum amount of power for its continuous operation.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a device forv the aforesaid purpose in which the necessity of employing a source of energy, other than that provided by a luminous condition, variations of which would afiect the response of the control device, is avoided.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device which can be easily and conveniently adapted for use in many widely diversified fields of use, which requires for its use no theoretical knowledge of the manner in which the device functions, and which can be cheaply produced in mass production.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified control device for automatically effecting a control in response to a change in the absolute magnitude of a luminous condition.

Still another object is to provide a simplified control device for automatically effecting control in response to a change in the relative magnitude of two luminous conditions, and providing a plurality of responses depending upon the mutual relationship of said conditions.

a In the broader aspects of the invention, a current-producing means is employed for producing an electric current proportional in mangitude to the magnitude of the luminous condition. In the more specific aspects of the invention, the current-producing means is a photoelectric generator cell, sometimes called a barrier type cell,

adapted to receive light from a source, the'luminous condition of which is the determining factor in the control.

If it is desired to render the device responsive to a change in the relative magnitude of two luminous conditions, a pair of photoelectric generator cells are used, receiving light respectively from two sources to be compared, and connected differentially to produce a resultant electric effect, such as a current or an electro-magnetic field, proportional to the difference between the illumination of the two generators.

The current provided by the photoelectric device or devices is conducted directly to an electro-responsive means having a defiectable member, the direction and magnitude of the deflection of which depends upon the direction and magnitude of the current supplied thereto by the photoelectric means.

In the preferred form of the invention, a pair of control circuits are employed, which may be used to affect various. types of control devices. The said circuits are both adapted to include the defiectable member and also include respectively a pair of contacts so positioned with respect to said member that the latter is adapted to make electric connection with one or the other of the contacts, or, if desired, to remain out of contact with both, depending upon the direction and magnitude of its deflection.

An automatic circuit-closing member which is periodically operated and which at each operation tests for a change in the defiection of the defiectable member is adapted periodically to close one or the other of the control circuits between one of the said contacts and the deflectable member. The periodically operated circuitclosing member may also be connected to a common terminal in both of said control circuits, whereby it is adapted periodically to complete said circuits through the defiectable member and one or theother of said pair of contacts, depending upon the deflection of the defiectable member.

Thus one or the other of the control circuits may be completed in response to a current produced by the photoelectric device or devices.

A periodically operated switch-closing member may be operated by any suitable means, such as a synchronous electric motor or clockwork mechanism which through a cam arrangement, will intermittently operate the circuit closer at any desired frequency; or the circuit-closing member may be operated intermittently by a thermostatic maker and breaker interposed in a circuit including an electro-magnet, the armastalled at widely spaced points. The element of the device have been reduced to a minimum, and consist of inexpensive widely used electrical ele ments so that the device may be cheaply manufactured. The said elements may be made of such rugged construction as to successfully permit the use of the device even under conditions where excessive vibrations are encountered.

The device of the present invention which comprises a single photoelectric generator cell can be successfully used in any field in which it is desired to effect some control in response to a change in the absolute magnitude of a luminous condition, the magnitude of which is the determinin factor in the control. For instance, it may be used to operate the switch of the lighting system for illuminating a store window in. response to the amount of daylight reaching the window from the outside, turning the lights on when the intensity of the daylight decreases below a predetermined minimum, and extinguishing the lights when the daylight exceeds a predetermined intensity. The device may be similarly used for illuminating and extinguishing electric signs. It may also be used for protection against burglary, for instance, in private homes when temporarily unoccupied, by employing it to turn on a lamp inside the'house at night, and to extinguish it during the day.

Another field of use for which the said control device may be employed, i that of effecting a control in response to a change in the intensity of luminous radiation from an incandescent object, such as a mass of molten metal. When used in this manner, it provides an indirect means for remote control in response to the temperature of the object. y

The said device may also be used to effect a control where a beam of light is directed from some suitable source onto the photoelectric cell, upon interruption of the beam of light by some object interposed between the source and photoelectric cell.

When two photoelectric generators are 'used in the control device, acting differentially upon the deflectab-le member, the said device can be successfully employed in any field in which it is desired to effect some control, or merely to pro- In the latter form, the said device may beused to effect a control or indication in response to variation in translucency of an object by comparing the light transmitted thereby with a standard. Similarly, the device may be used to effect a control or indication in response to Variation in the light reflected by an object by comparing it with a standard, or to react to the relative disparity in the amount of light reflected from a pair of illuminated objects.

It will be understood that the device may thus be used, for instance, to register variations in the light transmitted by a liquid flowing in a conduit, to register variations in the reflecting power of textiles, metals, and other materials having reflecting surfaces, and for many similarapplications.

An important advantage of these applications of the device of the present invention for com-- a paring the relative light-transmitting or reflecting power of materials is that a single light source may be used to provide'the illumination for both photoelectric devices, whereby the efiect of variations in the absolute intensity of the source of light is eliminated in the response.

Other features and advantages will appear I from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a sectional view taken 'along line i--l of Fig. 2, showing one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 4, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. but showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-43 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken along line 5-43 of Fig. i.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic showing of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and 5 showing the circuits employed.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of another form of the present invention using a pair of photoelectric cells differentially connected.

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8, but shows a variation in the wiring of the circuit.

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of one ap= plication of the form of the invention shown in. Figs. 8 and 9, for providing a control device responsive to variations in the translucency of a body of liquid flowing in a conduit.

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of another application of the invention as shown in Fig. 8 for providing a device responsive to variations in the comparative amount of light reflected from a material used as a standard of comparison and from a sample to be compared therewith.

In the preferred form of the invention, a casing 20 of some suitable material such as Bakelite, houses the control device per se. The casing 20 comprises a closure or upper member 20a and a lower cup-like base H which is provided adjacent the open end thereof with an annular internal flange 22 forming a seat for a disk 23 of some suitable insulation material such as hard rubber.

Supported upon the disk 23 is a DArsonval type of instrument comprising an annular shaped permanent magnet 24 formed. of a plurality of layers or laminations and having pole pieces which, at their adjacent faces, are recessed or curved concavely, preferably on the arc of a circle, as at 25 and 26. Of course, if desired, anyother form of magnet such as a horseshoe magnet having separately afiixed pole pieces may be used.

Covering the upper face of the magnet is a disk 21, identical with'the disk '23 and being formed of the same material. The disks are adapted to support the movable coil assembly unit of the instrument, and, to this end, brackets 28 and 29'are secured to the disks 23 and 21 apertures formed in said disks, the apertures tached as by a screw 3i to an L-shaped bracket respectively by suitable screws so as to bridge 32, which is secured to the disk 21. The coil 33 is arranged on the rectangular coil frame 34 and extends around the core 30 so as to swing between the core and the pole faces 25- and 28 and is pivotally supported between the brackets 28' and 29 in a manner well known in the art.

Since the particular manner of pivotally mounting the coil in its bearings and providing suitable springs therefor, fonns no part of the present invention per se, it will not be described herein.

A needle 35, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described, is insulatedly secured to the coil so as to turn therewith.

A photoelectric cell 36, preferably of the voltaic or generator type, is mounted on the upper surface of the disk 21 by means of a yoke 31. Wires 38 are led from the cell to the D'Arsonval instrument in the well-known manner so that the instrument will respond .to the current produced by the photoelectric generator when excited, the coil 33 and needle 35 being deflected by an amount substantially proportional to said current.

Obviously, the photoelectric generator 38 need not be mounted in the casing of the control instrument but may be located remotely therefrom, suitable leads replacing the wires 38.

A pair of contacts 39 and 40 are secured to the upper surface of the disk 21 by suitable terminal brackets 41 and 42 respectively. These contacts comprise elongated rod-like members which are provided with screw threads along'a portion of their length, extending through threaded apertures formed in the brackets 4| and '42. To permit an adjustment of the contacts, the same extend through the closure member of the easing 20, and are each provided at their outer ends with suitable knobs 44. It will be seen that the contacts may be adjusted with respect to one another by rotation of the knobs 44 in either direction, depending upon the adjustment desired.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the needle 35 of the DArsonval instrument, due to the pivotal mounting of the coil to which it is secured, will move over contact 39 or over contact 40 depending upon the angular displacement of the coil 38. The coil, as it is energized by the current produced by the" photoelectric generator cell 36, will cause the needle 35 to move in one direction in response to an increase in the illumination of the photoelectric generators, and in the opposite direction when the light activating the device decreases. Theneedle 35, therefore, will move over one contact when the device is activated in excess of a predetermined amount and over the other contact when the activationof the device decreases below a predetermined value.

To permit this movement to energize one or the other of a pair of control circuits, a movable con-v tact I1 is mounted by means of an arm 19 to a rod 80 pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the disk 21, and is connected by lead I8 to a terminal 8| secured to the bottom wall of the casing 20, which is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of current. The contact 11 is normally held out of engagement with the needle 35 by a spring 32, one end of which is secured to the arm 19, the other being fastened 'to the rod 80. To prevent wear of the contacting surfaces, due to the arcing that would be set up if the contact l1 and the needle 35 were allowed to constantly engage each other, the contact 11 is caused to be periodically moved into engagement with the needle, forcing the free end of the needle downward. It the needle has been caused to move over one or the other of the contacts 89 or 48, the engagement of the contact 11 with the needle 35, accompanied by depression of the latter will complete one of the control circuits from the source of current through contact 11 and needle to one or the other of the said contacts depending on the position of the needle.

The means employed to periodically move the contact 1'! down into engagement with the needle may be of any desired construction, and in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the means comprises an electromagnet 84 mounted within the well 85 of the permanent magnet 24 by a bracket 88 secured to the upper surface of the disk 23. An armature 81 is pivotally secured at one end to the bracket 88 and is provided with a strap connection 88 to an insulating sleeve 89 secured onand carried by the contact 11.

It will be seen that, if the magnet 84 is periodically energized, the armature 81 will be periodically attracted, and consequently, due to the connection 88, the contact 11 will be depressed at each periodic attraction of the armature. To this end, there is interposed in the circuit of the electromagnet, a thermostatic switch which comprises a bimetallic strip 90, one end of which is suitably fastened to the upper surface of the disk 21', having a plurality of turns 9| of the wire 92 coiled around the strip. One end of the wire is connected to the strip at, the opposite end being adapted to be connected to a suitable source of current. The free end of the bimetallic strip carries a contact 94 adapted to engage a contact 95 to which is connected the lead 98 'of the coil of the electro-magnet.

When the strip 90 is cold, the contact 94 will engage the contact 95 thereby energizing the electro-magnet 84 whereupon the armature 81 is attracted, pulling down contact 11 into engagement with the needle 35. As will be understood when the bimetallic strip 90 is heated by the current passing through the turns 9|, the free end of the strip'will flex upward thereby breaking the circuit to the electro-magnet and deenergizing the same. The armature 81, as the circuit is broken, will be no longer attracted, and will be pulled upward by the action of the spring acting on the contact 11 to which the armature is connected.

A modification of the described device is shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, wherein a rotary driving means, such as a clock-work mechanism or synchronous motor is substituted for the thermostatic switch and electro-magnet 84 as a means for depressing the arm 19 and the needle 35.

As shown in Fig. 4, a clock-work mechanism or synchronous motor 91 ismounted in the casing 20, below the photoelectric generator cell 36. The said rotary driving means is provided with a pinion 98 which is rotated by the said mechanism. The said pinion drives a gear 99 through a gear train, comprising a gear I00 and a pinion iiil integral therewith, mounted upon a pivot I02, which is supported by means of a bracket I03 attached to the upper surface of the disk 21, The gear 99 rotates freely upon the axis I04 of the rotary driving means and is provided on its lower surface with a cam I05, which intermittently engages and releases a lug I08 protruding from the upper surface of the arm 19. As the Closure of one of the circuits through contacts 39 or B may be employed to operate a suitable control mechanism. For instance, a control mechanism may be used which is similar to that shown and claimed in my prior Patent No. 2,014,194, which comprises, referring now to Figs. 2 and 5, a U-shaped frame 68 to which is secured core member 5i carrying a coil 52. The coil 52 may be held in place on the core hi bysuitable means such as the insulating members 53 and 56. A. U-shamd bail 55 is pivotally mounted by screws 56 on the frame The bail member 55, preferably has a limited turning movement about the pivot screws E5 3 and suitable means, such as a toggle spring arrangement, is provided for normally maintaining the bail in either of its alternate positions.

As shown in Fig. 2. the arm that of the ball is provided with a substantially inverted T-shaped slot 5?. The staff of the T-shaped slot is directed toward the pivot 55 and the transverse part or head of the T-shaped slot is arcuate with respect to the pivot. Passing through the arcuate portion of the slot is a stud 5t which is fixed upon one of the depending legs of the frame 56, and it will be seen, that the stud 58, riding in the arcuate slot, limits the movement of the ball 55 about the pivot 59.

Pivotally mounted on the outer end of the stud 58 is a lever til, the upper end of which carries an inwardly projecting pin 6! slidably engaging the stafi portion of the T-shaped slot. The opposite end of the lever carries an outwardly projecting stud 62 to which is attached one end of a tension spring 68. The other end of this spring is fastened to the outer end of a stud 66 mounted on a portion of the bail arm the, extending beyond the pivot 56.

It will be seen that this arrangement provides a toggle control which acts through the'spring 63 and the pivoted lever to snap the ball 55 to one or the other of its extreme positions, as soon as the ball is moved sumciently to carry the spring 63 over the center of the stud. The lower portion of the U-shaped bail serves as an armature for cooperating with the core member 5i and the legs of the frame 59 substantially to complete would cause the armature to come torest with the spring 83 over the center of the stud. However, when the electromagnet is energized, the momentum of the suddenly shifted armature will move the bail actually to carry the spring slightly past the center of the stud.

It willbe seen, therefore, that if some means is provided to break the energizing circuit of the ing circuit of the electro-magnet at the instantelectromagn'et at the instant the spring 63 first passes over the center of the stud, the spring 63 will actto continue the movement of the bail and the act of momentarily energizing the electromagnet will result in a shifting of the armature and ball 55 from one of its extreme positions to the other.

As best seen in Fig. 2, the means for breaking the circuit of the electromagnet comprises a double throw switch having fixedly mounted contacts es and 8d and an intermediate contact it? which may be moved into engagement with either of the contacts at or 66. The contacts 65 and at are mounted upon a piece of insulating material tit which may be secured to the frame 5h. The contact til ismounted on one end of a switch arm as and preferably is insulated therefrom in any suitable manner. As shown, the switch arm t9 comprises a substantially right=angled bell crank which is pivotally mounted on the bail arm the at it. The other end or the switch arm 89 is connected by means of a spring ii to the bail at E2. When the ball is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the spring ii biases the switch arm as to bring the contacts ti and 86 together. When the bail 55 is in its other extreme position, the spring ii will bias the switch arm it to bring the contacts 6? and 66 together.

"ihe contact $55 is connected by "means of a lead it to the contact 3% and the contact 68 is connected by means of a lead iii to the contact 58. The movable contact ti is connected by means of a leadis to one terminal of the coil 52, and the other terminal of the coil 52 is connected to the grounded terminal it, carried by the bottom wall of the casing which is adapted to be connected to some suitable ground. Y

Means are provided for breaking the energiz= the spring 83 first passes over the center or the stud, and, in the preferred form of the invention. this means consists of the needle 85 of the DAr= eonval instrument, the, contact to or to, depending upon the position of the needle 36, and the movable contact ii which is connected by the lead it to a suitable source of current.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, the control mechanism is mounted in the well 65 of the permanent magnet 26, replacing the electaro-magnetic means as shown in Fig. 2, which is omitted. Said control mechanism is supported by a bracket ifll fastened to the upper surface of the disk 27. The ball member or armature 65 extend through an aperture I08 in the lower disk 23. Operation of the photoelectric generator cell, DArsonval galvanometer, and the con. trol mechanism shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6 is similar to the operation described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

lin use, where'the device is to affect a control in response to some change in a luminous condition, the device is positioned so that the light emanating from the source strikes or impinges against the cell 38 thereby activating the same. The cell, as it is activated by the rays ofclight, will produce a current, which current is supplied to the coil 33 of the DArsonval instrument causing a deflection of the needle 35. The contact 'i'i, due to the periodic energization of the magnet 84, or periodic depression by the cam I05, will periodically test for some predetermined change in the luminous condition and if the luminous condition has changed sufllciently to cause the needle 85 to move over one or the other or the contacts 33 or II. a circuit will then be established from the source of current through the lead ,13, contact l'l, needle 33, leads 13 or I4 and contacts 33 or 33, and 31 to the control mechanism.

By way or illustration, it the needle as, is positioned over the adjustable contact 33 as shown in Fig. 7, it will be periodically depressed by the arm ll, engaging the contact 11, and also the adjustable contact 33. The circuit, however, is not completed since the movable contact 31 of the control mechanism is not engaged with the contact 33. However, it a change or the luminous condition occurs which causes the needle 33 to move over contact 43, the arm 13 will momentarily depress the needle 33 and set up a circuit from the source or current through the lead 18, the contact .11, the needle 33, the adjustable contact 43, lead 14, contact 33, and movable contact 31 to the electro-magnet oi the controlmechar nism. Upon momentary energization of the said electro-magnet, the bail member or armature 55 of said control mechanism will be moved to its other extreme position, at the same time interrupting the circuit by disengaging contact GI from contact 36. This movement will engage contacts 31 and 85.

When a reverse change occurs in the luminous condition, the needle 35 will move back over the adjustable contact 33. Periodic depression oi! the needle 35 by the arm 19 or cam I05 causes automatically lighting and extinguishing electric. signs, store window illumination, street lamps, or the like, depending upon the available illumination, for instance, the intensity of daylight in the vicinity oi! such lighting means.

mechanism hereinbefore described may be arranged to close alternately, two switches of the type represented by contact members I03 and I I0, depending .upon the energization of said control member by motion of the needle 35 from a position above one ,of the contacts 33 or 40 to the needle to form contact with the adjustable contact 39. source of current through the lead 18, the contact 11, the needle 35, adjustable contact 39, lead I3, contact 33, and movable contact 31 to the electro-m'agnetic coil 62 of the control mecha nism. This causes the bail member or armature 35 to move back again to its other extreme position, as shown in Fig. 'I, beraking the circuit between contacts 33 and 61 and reengaging contacts 66 and 37. 7

By adjusting the position of the ends of the contacts 33 and 40 by rotation of the knobs l, the critical intensity of illumination of the photoelectric generator cell 36 at whichthe instrument will eflect a control oi the circuits may be varied at will. I

In order to control an external circuit in re- A circuit is thus set up from the sponse to a change in a luminous condition, by

means of the motion imparted to the armature 35 of the control mechanism, a pair or spring contacts I03 and I I3 are secured to the lower surface of the base 2! by means of terminal bolts III, and H2. The contacts I09 and H0 are normal- 1y held out of contact by virture oi! their own resiliency, but are so positioned with respect to the bail member or armature 35 of the control mechanism that motion of said armature into one of its extreme positions engages contact III) and forces it into engagement with contact I39.

The said contacts may be connected in series with an external circuit, for instance, a lighting circuit, which it is desired to control in response to a change in a luminous condition, by means of terminal bolts III and II! which extend through the casing 20 to its exterior and thereby provide ,means for connecting said contacts in series with the external circuit. The said contacts may be interposed directly in the circuit to be controlled, or they may be interposed in a relay circuit which controls an operating circuit.

Thus, the device of the present invention may be adjusted to control an external circuit for a position above the other.

If desired, devices other than the control mechanism comprising an electro-magnet and toggle switch, herelnbefore described and also shown in my prior Patent No. 2,014,194, may be op-' erated by the intermittent closure of the control circuits in the control device by needle 33 in cooperation with adjustable contacts 33 and and the contactmember Tl.

For instance, the said circuits may be arranged to operate a visual or audible signal when one of the two circuits is closed, the signal being inoperative when the needle is positioned netween the said adjustable contacts.

In Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown means for con necting a pair of photoelectric generator cells 330 and 36b to the control device shown in Figures 1 to 7 and described in the foregoing paragraphs. Each of these embodiments includes the elements of the DArsonval instrument, shown also in Fig. 7, comprisinga permanent magnet 2 5 how ing pole faces 26 and 26, a pivotally suspended; coil 33 mounted between the pole faces. and contact needle 33 carried by the coil 33 for de fiectlon thereby.

In Fig. 8, leads 38 and 39 from the ends of the suspended coil 33 are connected respectively to corresponding terminals (for instance, the positive terminals) of photoelectric generator cells 36a and 35b. The opposite terminals of the two photoelectric cells are connected by means of a common lead i I5 to the midpointof the coil 33. When both of the photoelectric generators are equally excited, the current from one cell being equal to that of the other, the two halves of the coil 33 are energized by equal and opposite currents producing magnetic eil'ects which neu tralize each other and, therefore, cause no deflection of the coil and the needle 35 by reaction with the permanent magnet 24.

If, however, one of the cells is more strongly excited than the other, the current in the corresponding half of the coil 33 will exceed the opposing current in the other half of said coil and the coil and needle will be deflected laterally through a distance proportional to the difference in excitation of the two photoelectric generators. If the unequal excitation of the cells is reversed, the needle will be correspondingly deflected to the other side.

In Fig. 9, which is otherwise similar to Fig. 8,

a variation of the circuit including the photo electric generator cell 36a and 36b and the coil 33 is illustrated. whereby the necessity for providing a connection to the midpoint of the pivotally suspended coil is avoided. Like terminals (for instance, the positive terminals) of the two photoelectric generators are connected respectively by leads 33 and 33 to the ends oi the coil magnitude but opposite in direction. Accordingly, there is no difiercnce in potential between the terminals of the resistance iii! or of the coil 638, and consequently no current jfiows through the said coil. The needle 36 thus remains at rest.

However, if one of the two cells is more strongly excited than the other, the current in one cell, is greamr than that in the other cell. Since the resistance of the coil is substantially negligible as compared with the resistance mem= ber iii, the current in the network tends to dis tribute itself so that there is substantiallyno difierence in potential between the terminals of the said resistance member. 7 This requires that the current betwen the two halves of the re sistance'mernber till should be equal in magnl tude and accordingly, the coil 83 is traversed by a current substantially equal to one-half the difierence between the current of the respective cells. As a result, the needle 35 is deflected to one side by a distance substantially proportional to the difference in current between the 'two cells. If the unequal excitation of the cells is reversed, the current through the coil 83 is likewise reversed and the needle 35 is correspondingly deflected to the opposite side.

Obviously, in both of the circuits shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the polarity of both cells may be reversed.

Fig. 10 illustrates one application of the ar rangementshown in Fig. 8. A conduit i Mi carry: 'ing a liquid i is is provided with two transparent windows i2ll and 028 at opposite sides thereof. 'A suitable source of light such as an incandescent lamp are is mounted in a casing B28 adjacent the window iZii so that the light therefrom traverses the two windows at opposite sides of the conduit, and the liquid between the said windows. The photoelectric generator 36a is disposed behind the other window i2i, to receive illumination transmitted by the liquid H9 from the lamp E22. The other photoelectric generator 86b is preferably disposed at the side of the casing R23 to receive illumination directly from the lamp i122. 7

An opaque screen iZd which is adjustable by means of the thumb screw H5 is provided to regulate the amount of light from the lamp iZZ which reaches the cell 3612. By suitable adjustment of the screen, the amount of light reaching the cell 36b,may be increased or decreased as desired.

The elements of the control device are shown diagrammatically as including the common lead H5 from the positive terminals of the two photoelectric generators to the midpoint of the coil 33 of the DArsonval instrument, the leads 38 and 89 from opposite ends of said coil being connected to the negative terminals of the cells respectively. The intermittently depressed contact member H and the adjustable contacts 38 and 40 which cooperate with the needle 35, carried by the coil 33, are likewise shown.

The device is adapted to control the degree assrcrs of translucency or the color, of the liquid lit passing through the conduit between windows are and i2i.

In order to adjust the device to provide a standard of comparison, the lamp i22 is illuminated and the conduit H8 is filled with the liquid lit having the desired light-transmitting characteristics. The screen ltd is adjusted so that the excitation of the cells 86a and 88b is equal, whereby the needle 35 remains in its neutral or midposltion between the adjustable contacts 39 and 18. If the liquid passing through the conduit becomes less translucent, for instance, because of an increased amount of suspended material therein, or if the color of the liquid becomes darker, the excitation oithe cell 380. will decrease while that of cell 36?) remains the same. The needle 85 will be correspondingly deflected to one side. Conversely, if the liquid becomes lighter in color or more translucent, excitation of the cell 86a will increase, exceeding that of cell 88b and the needle 35 will be deflected in the opposite direction. Intermittent depression of the needle 35 by the contact member Ti tests for the position of the said needle at intervals, and cooperation of the said needle with the adjustable con tacts 88 and ill, may be arranged to operate a signal, or to energize some device in the liquid control system to correct the condition of the liquid flowing through the conduit. By adjusting the distance between'the ends of contacts 39 and til, the permissible range of variation in the condition oi the said liquid within which it is desired that the control or signal should remain inopera tive may be widened or narrowed.

The wiring arrangement shown in Fig. 9 may i be substituted for that of Fig. 8, in the application of the control device shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 illustrates another application of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 8. A pair of supports 538 are provided, adapted respectively to hold a specimen of material i3i having a surface of the desired light-reflecting characteristics to be used as a standard of comparison, and another specimen of material i32, the surface of which is to be compared with the said standard surface as to its light-reflecting properties. A suitable source of light, such as an incandescent lamp H83 15 mounted in a housing i343 having a pair of windows or lenses its for directing beams of light against the surfaces of the specimens iti and i32 to be compared. The two photoelectric generator cells 36a and 86b are disposed respectively to receive the light reflected from the standard of comparison H32 and the test specimens i3i, screens i36 being provided, if necessary, to prevent the reflected light from either of the specimens and the direct illumination from the light source from reaching both cells at the same time.

The elements of the control mechanism are shown schematically and arranged in the manner shown in Fig. 8, although the wiring arrangement of Fig. 9 may be substituted therefor. The ends of the coil 33 are connected respectively tothe positive terminals of the two photoelectric generator cells 36a. and 36b," while the negative terminals of the latter are connected by means of the common lead H5 to the midpoint of the coil 33.

If the ligh trefiecting properties of the test specimen I32 and the standard i3i are substantially equal, the light reflected therefrom and falling upon the cells 36a and 36b respectively, produces currents in the two halves of the coil ll which are substantially equal and which neu-. tralize each other. The needle ll is not deflectedbut remains at rest.

If the light reflected from the .test specimens In is greater or less than treflectedjrom the standard specimen Ill, th needle II will be,

correspondingly deflected to one side or the other by reason of the unequal current flowing in the respective halves of'the coil 13. z

By adjusting the contacts 88 and 46 s6 that needle 35 is positioned between them when the surfaces of two specimens to be compared reflect the same amount oi light and to move over one or the other of the said contacts, depending upon,

reflection of more or less light from the test specimen I32 than from the standard comparison I, the circuit which is closed by the deflection of the needle over the said contacts and by inter+ mittent depression of said needle by the. contact member 11, may be arranged to operate a signal to indicate the disparity or similarity of the compared specimens, or to operate some other automatic device. r

As in the case of the application illustrated in Fig. 10, the permissible range of variation in the light-reflecting characteristics of the test specimen and standard of comparison may be varied by widening or narrowing the gap between the ends of contacts 39 and 48. By suitably nar= rowing the said gap, the range of variation may be decreased until it is substantially nil.

The said arrangement may be used to compare any characteristics of the surfaces of specimens Bi and E32. which affect the light-reflecting power thereof, such as color depth, lustre. relative roughness, etc.

An important practical advantage of the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 to 11, is that the I amount of light supplied by the single light source is not critical since it energizes both of the photoelectric cells. The response of the control device is not affected by variations in the intensity of illumination of the said light source which occurs from time to time due to extraneous conditions such as a drop in line voltage or internal conditions such as the gradual burning out of the filament of the lamp.

. 7 is positioned between them. For comparing a test specimen with a standard, it is merely necessary to place the standard specimen in one position and the test specimen in another position for their successful operations.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the

elements of the DArsonval instrument, the ad- Justable contacts 39 and w, and the means for intermittently depressing the needle 35 may be conveniently disposed in a casing as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7'. However, the photoelectric generators 36a and 36b are generally separate from the said casing to permit disposition thereof as desired with reference to the luminous conditions to be compared and tested.

In using the device illustrated in Fig. 10, no theoretical knowledge on the part of the user is required, since it is merely necessary to observe the condition of the water or other liquidflowing through the pipe, and then to adjust the screw I25 until the needle 35 is positioned between the contacts 39 and 40, whereby no signal or control is produced at the time when the color or translucency of the liquid in the plpe is that desired.

Likewise, with the device shown in Fig. 11, no theoretical knowledge concerning the manner in which the device functions is required for its successful use, and the device may be used by any .mechanic or worker found in the industry. To

adjust the device, it is merely necessary to place identical specimens in both positions and to ad- Just the contacts 39 and 40 so that the needle 35 In connection with the form ofv the invention shown in Fig. 11, ifdesired, the portion of the control mechanism including the contact 11 may be omitted. In this case, visual observation of the needle 35 of the galvanometer may be employed to indicate when the test specimens are of! standard..

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the test specimens may be brought into the position to be tested eitherby hand or by a suitable mechanical means such as conveyors, etc,

and in such case the operation of the circuit closer or contact ll would be timed so that the contact would operate when the specimen was in position to be tested.

The photoelectric control devices have been described specifically as having photoelectric cells of the current-generating or barrier type. However, by inserting a source of direct current at constant E. M. F. in series with the cells in the well-known manner, photoelectric cells of the variable resistance type or of the emission type may be substituted therefor. However such modifications have the disadvantage that variations in the voltage of the said source would cause variations in the response of the, devices to changes in the luminous condition. Cells of the emission type would require vacuum tube amplification, whereby the construction and operation of the devices are greatly complicated, and the cost and maintenance thereof enormously increased.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others. I claim: ,4

1. In a system for effecting a control in response to variations in the magnitude of a luminous condition, a plurality of control circuits; a

plurality of spaced contacts included respectively in said circuits; a contact member freely movable over a range adjacent said contacts and adapted upon engagement with said spaced contacts to establish said circuits respectively; a photoelectric means responsive to said luminous condition and directly controlling the free movement of said-movable contact member to determine its position relative to the respective contacts in accordance with the magnitude of said luminous condition; and automatic means periodically moving said movable contact member to adjacent contact-engaging position for closing a selected control circuit.

2. A control device for effecting a control in response to variations in the magnitude of a luminous condition, comprising a light-sensitive means for producing a current substantially proportional to the magnitude of the luminous con= dition; a plurality of control circuits; electromagnetic means included in said circuits for ef= fecting a control operation upon energization thereof; a plurality of spaced contacts included respectively in said circuits; a circuit-selecting member freely movable adjacent said contacts, its free movement being controlled by the current produced by said light sensitive means, said mem= her being adapted to cooperate with the said contacts upon engagement therewith for selec= tively establishing said circuits according to the magnitude of said luminous condition; and an automatic periodically operated circuit-closing means for moving said movable member to adjacent contact-engaging position for intermittently closing the selected circuit.

3. In a control device for eilecting a control in response to the magnitude of a luminous con= dition, light-sensitive means for producing a cur rent substantially proportional to the magnitude of said luminous condition; a plurality of control circuits; electro-magnetic means includ= ed in said circuits for effecting a control opera tion upon selective energization of said circuits; a switch in each of said circuits operated by said electro-magnetic means for interrupting the circult in which it is included upon initial energizationof said circuit, and for reestablishing said circuit upon the initial energization of one of the other circuits; a plurality of spaced contacts included respectively in said circuits; at circuit-selecting member freely movable adjacent said contacts, its free movement being controlled by the current produced by said light-sensitive means, said member being adapted to cooperate with said contacts upon engagement therewith for selectively establishing said circuits according to the magnitude of said luminous condition; and a periodically operated circuit-closing member automatically moving said movable member to adjacent contact-engaging position for in termittently closing the selected circuit.

l. In a control device for efiecting a control in response to the magnitude of a luminous condi-' tion, a photoelectric generator cell adapted to produce a current substantially proportional to the magnitude of a luminous condition; a galvanometer directly responsive to the current produced by said photoelectric generator cell; a

stantially proportional to tire magnitude oisaid luminous condition; a plurality of control circuits adapted upon selective energization thereof to efiect a control operation; a plurality of;

spaced contacts adjacent said de flectable circuit-= closing member, the latter being adapted to move over said contacts successively upon deflection thereof; a contact member common to all of said control circuits; and automatic means for periodically actuating said contact member to engage said defiectable member for establishing a circuit thereto and to move said member into engagement with the contact over which it is positioned for closing the control circuit asso ciated with said contact.

6. In a control device as defined in claim 3, means 'for periodically operating said circuitclosing member comprising a rotary timing mechanism; a cam driven thereby for actuating said member; and a casing enclosing said control device, said light-sensitive means comprising a photoelectric cell of the current-generating type disposed in one wall of the casing.

7. In a control device as d'eiined in claim 3, electromagnetic means for operating said cir= cult-closing member; a circuit for said electromagnetic means including a bimetallic switch,-

said switch being adapted automatically to energize said circuit intermittently; and a casing enclosing said control device, said light-sensitive means comprising a photoelectric cell of the cur= rent-generating type disposed in one wall of the nitudes ofsaid luminous conditions; a plurality freely defiectable member carried by the coil of said galvanometer, the deflection of which is substantially proportional to the magnitude of said luminous condition; a plurality of control circuits adapted upon selective energization thereof to effect a control operation; a plurality of contacts included respectively in said control circuits, said defiectable member being freely movable into successive positions adjacent said contacts and adapted to cooperate with the latter upon engagement therewith for selectively establishing said control circuits; and a periodically operated circuit-closing means for automatically moving said defiectable member to adjacent contact-engaging position for intermittently clos ing the selected circuit.

5. In a control device for effecting a control in response to the magnitude of a luminous condition, a photoelectric generator cell adapted to produce a current substantially proportional to the magnitude of a luminous condition; a galvanometer directly responsive to the current produced by said photoelectric generator cell; a defiectable member carried by the coil of said galvanometer, the deflection of which is sub= of control circuits for efiecting a control operation upon selective energization thereof; a plu= rality of contacts included respectively in said control circuits; a freely movable circuit-selecting member directly controlled by said resultant electric efiect and adapted to cooperate with said contacts for selectively establishing said control circuits; and aperiodically operated automatic circuit-closing means for moving with said movable member to contact-engaging position for closing the selected circuit.

9. In a control device for efiecting a control in response to variations in the relative magnitudes of a pair of luminous conditions, a pair of photoelectric means for producing currents substan 'tially proportional in magnitude respectively to the magnitudes of a pair of luminous conditions,

said means being difierentially connected to pro-l duce a resultant electric efiect proportional to the diiierence in magnitude between the said luminous conditions; a pair of control circuits for effecting a control operation upon selective energization thereof; a pair of spaced contacts included respectively in said control circuits; a circuit-selecting member freely movable over a range adjacent said contacts in response to said" said member being inefiective to close either of said circuits in a position between the contacts;

means for adjusting the spacing between said contacts, whereby the sensitivity of the control may be varied; and circuit-closing means periodically operated to move said circuit-selecting member to contact-engaging position for closing the selected circuit.

10. In a control device for effecting a control in response to variations in the relative lightabsorbing characteristics of material, a single light source for illuminating said material; a photoelectric means for producing a current u stantially proportional to the magnitude of the light emitted by said material; a second photoelectric means for producing a current substantially proportional to the light emitted by said light source, the two photoelectric means being connected to produce an electric effect substantially proportional to the difference between the amount of light respectively received by said photoelectric means; a plurality of control circuits'; control-selecting means actuated directly by variations in said differential electric effect; and periodically operative means adapted when operated to act upon said control-selecting means for closing the selected control circuit.

11. In a system for effecting a control in response to achange in the magnitude of a luminous condition, a circuit-selecting member freely'movable over a predetermined range in re-' sponse to variations of said luminous condition; spaced contact means positioned adjacent the range of movement of said movable member and adapted to cooperate therewith for selectively closing one of a plurality of control circuits; and periodically operated circuit-closing means cooperating with said freely movable member to move it to contact-engagi g p sition for closing the selected circuit. w

12. In a system for effecting a control in response to a change in the magnitude of a luminous condition, a circuit-selecting member freely movable over a selected range in response to variations of said luminous condition; spaced contact means positioned adjacent the range of movement of said movable member, and adapted to cooperate therewith for selectively closing one of a plurality of control ,circuits; and periodically operated circuit-closing means common to all of said control circuits for intermittently establishing a circuit to said movable member, and for moving said member to contact-engaging position to close a selected circuit for each periodic operation thereof.

tion, comprising a of said luminous condition;

responsive to said light-sensitive means; a plurality of spaced contacts adjacent said range of movement, and adapted to cooperate with said member for selectively closing one of a plurality of control circuits; a periodically operated circuit-closing means cooperating with said member to move it to contact-engaging position for each periodic operation thereof to close one of said control circuits; control means operated by closure of said circuits respectively to effect the desired control; and means operated by said control means to interrupt the selected control circuit after initial closure thereof and to reestablish said circuit upon initial closure of one of the other control circuits.

15. In a system for effecting a control in response to a change in the magnitu'de of a luminous condition, a circuit-selecting member freely movable over a selected range in response to variations of said luminous condition; spaced contact means positioned adjacent the range of movement of said movable member and adapted to cooperate therewith for selectively closing one of a plurality of control circuits; periodically operated circuit-closing means cooperating with said freely movable member to move it to contact-engaging position for closing the selected circuit; and means for adjusting the spacing of said contacts to vary the magnitude of the change of said luminous condition required for effecting a change in the energization of said control circuits.

16. A device for effecting a control in response to predetermined changes in a luminous condiphotoelectric cell of the current-generating type adapted 'to produce a current substantially proportional to the intensity a galvanometer device directly responsive .to said current; a freely deflectable circuit-closing member positioned by the said galvanometerdevice; a pair of spaced contacts adjacent said deflectable member adapted to cooperate therewith for selectively closing one of a pair of control circuits; a circuitclosing member common to both control circuits for engaging said deflectable member to establish a circuit thereto and for moving said member into contact-engaging position to close said circuits respectively; automatic means intermittently operated to move said circuit-closing member to deflector-engaging, circuit-closing 13. In a system for effecting a control in response to a change in magnitude of a luminous condition, a photoelectric cell of the currentgenerating type, said cell being adapted to produce a current substantially proportional to the quantity of light received by said cell; a circuitselecting member freely movable over a predetermined range in direct response to variations in the said current; spaced contact means positioned adjacent the range of movement of said movable member, and adapted to cooperate therewith for selectively closing one of a plurality of control circuits; and periodically operated circuit-closing-means cooperating with said freely movable member to move it to contact-engaging position for closing a selected circuit.

, 14; In a control device for effecting a control in response to a change in the magnitude of a luminous condition, light-sensitive means responslvmto said condition; a circuit-selecting member freely movable over a predetermined range, movement of said member being directly position; electromagnetic means common to both of said circuits, successive'intermittent energizetions of said means altematelyeffecting a pair of control operations; and selective switch means controlled by said electromagnetic means upon initialenergization of one of the control circuits to render the other control circuit operative and the initially energized circuit inoperative.

17. In a system for effecting a control in response to a change in'the relative magnitudes of a pair of luminous conditions, a pair of photoelectric cells of the current-generating type, adapted to produce currents substantially proportional to the respective magnitudes of the pair of luminous conditions, said cells being connected diii'erentially to produce a resultant current which is a direct function of the difference between the magnitude of said luminous conditions; currentresponsive means operated by said current, comprising a deflectable circuit-selecting member freely movable over a predetermined range in response to variations of said current; spaced contact' means positioned adjacent the range of movement or said movable member and adapted to cooperate therewith for selectively closing one of a plurality of control circuits; and a periodically operated circuit-closing means cooperating with said freely movable member to move it to contact-engaging position for closing'the selected circuit.

18. In a system for effecting a control in response to a change in the relative magnitudes of a pair of luminous conditions, a pair of photoelectric cells of the current-generating type, adapted to produce currents substantially proportional to the respective magnitudes of a pair a periodically operated circuit-closing means common to all of said control circuits for periodically establishing a circuit to said movable memher and for moving said member to contact-engaging position to close the selected circuit for each periodic operation thereof.

19. In a control device for effecting a control in response to the relative light-absorbing properties of a pair of specimens, a single light source for illuminating said specimens; a pair of photoelectric cells respectively illuminated by the light reflected from said specimens for generating currents substantially proportional respectively to the intensity of the reflected beams of light; a plurality of control circuits; circuit-selecting means actuated by the total currents generated by said cells; and periodically operative means adapted when operated to act upon said circuitselecting means for closing the selected circuit.

20. In a control device for eflecting a control in response to variations in the light-transmitting properties of a material, a light source for projecting a beam of light through said material; a photoelectric cell illuminated by the transmitted beam for producing a current substantially proportional to the light transmitted by said material; a second photoelectric cell directly illuminated by said light source for producing a. current substantially proportional to the intensity of illumination thereof; a plurality of control circuits; circuit-selecting means actuated by the total currents produced by said cells; and peri-' odically operative means adapted when operated to act upon said circuit-selecting means for closing the selected circuit.

21. In a control device for effecting a control in response to variations in the light-transmitting properties of a material, a light source for projecting a beam of light through said material; a photoelectric cell, illuminated by the transmitted beam, for producing a current substantially proportional to the light transmitted by said material; a second photoelectric cell directly illuminated by said light source for producing a current substantially proportional to the intensity of illumination thereof; a plurality of controlcircuits; circuit-selecting means actuated by the total currents produced by said cells; perilight received from said material; a second photoelectric means for producing a current substantially proportional to the light received from said light source; a plurality of control circuits; circuit-selecting means actuated directly by and differentially responsive to the total currents produced by said respective photoelectric means; and means periodically acting upon said selecting means and testing for a variation in the currents produced and cooperative with said circuit-selecting means for completing a selecting circuit in response to predetermined variations in the diiierence between said total currents.

23. In a control device for eilecting a control responsive to variations in the relative light-absorbing characteristics of a, material, a single light source for illuminating said material; a photoelectric means for producing a current substantially proportional to the magnitude of the light received from said material; a second photoelectric means for producing a current substantially proportional to the light received from said light source; a plurality of control circuits; a galvanometer having a contact, operated by a coil, onepart thereof being energized by the total current produced by one of said photoelectric means, and the other part being differentially energized by the total current produced by the other photoelectric means, the deflection of said galvanometer coil and movement of the contactcarried thereby being substantially proportional to the difference in the illumination between the two photoelectric means; and means for periodically acting on said movable contact to close one ofv said control circuits upon deflection of said coil.

MANFRED. J. JOHNSON.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,551,1 October 12, 1915.

HANFRED J. JOHNSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in'the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, sec- 0nd column, line 19, for the first occurrence, read --one--; page 8, sec- 0nd column, line 52, claim 8, after "moving' strike out "with"; and that the said Letters Patent should 'be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 114th day of December, A. D. 19!;5.

Henry VanArsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2, 51,1 7 October 12, 1915.

' MANFRED J. JOHNSON.

It is hereby oertified that error appears inthe printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1,. sec- 0nd column, line 19, for "the" first occurrence, read -one--; page 8, sec- 0nd column, line 52, claim 8, after moving strike out "with"; and that the said' Letters Patent should "be read with this correction therein that the same' may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1mm day of December, A. 1). 19 L 5.

Henry vanArsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

